fairfield



(No Model.) 3 Sheets'Sheet: 1-.

J. M. FAIRFIELD. TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

No. 536,024.. Patented Mar. 19, 1895.

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(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2. J. M.'FAIRPIELD. I

I I TYPE WRITING MACHINE No. 536,024. Patented Mar. 19, 1895.

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Witnesses [12 Wanton- 3 iwwmz (fa/ 272 J14. Fae'rfl'eid, 1 '2 2% I flyhi8 flztorney m: Nonms PETERS co. mofmumnn wnsumcmm n. c.

FTTATES PATENT OFFICE.

TYPE-WRITING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 536,024, dated March19, 1895.

Application filed March 3, 1894:.

which the following is a'specification.

This invention relates to type-writers, and has special reference toshiftable carriages therefor.

The object of my presentinvention is to provide in connection with atilting longitudi- I nally-shiftable carriage carrying the revolubleplaten, simple and effective mechanism whereby the platen may bepartially rotated for the purpose of spacing, and the escapement-bar, or-rack may be simultaneously shifted out of engagement with theescapementor carriagefeed mechanism; also whereby the platen-feed-pawlmay be thrown out of engagement with the platen-feed-wheel, and at thesame time the carriage feed-mechanism may be thrown out of operation;also whereby the carriage may be tilted without affecting the carriagefeed-mechanism or the position of the platen with relation to thecarriage; and also, whereby the escapement bar, or feed-rack, may bethrown out of engagement with its feed-device without affecting theposition of the other parts of the carriage-mechanism.

In thedrawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification,Figure 1 is a plan view of a tilting and longitudinally-shiftabletype-writer carriage embodying my improvements, said figure also showinga portion of 'a type-writer frame or base, the-parts being illustratedin their normal, or working position. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of thesame. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the same. Fig. 4 is a frontelevation showing the type-writer. carriage thrown upward and backwardto bring the printing into view. Fig. 5 is a side elevation, on anenlarged scale, showing the carriage mechanism in its normal, or workingposition, said figure showing in dottedlines the feed-pawl anddetent-spring thrown out of engagement" with the feed-wheel of theplaten. Fig. 6 is a View similar to Fig. 5, showing the 'parts in theposition they occupy when the feed-lever has been operated to retate theplaten, a portion of the feed-lever Serial No. 502,272 (No model.)

ward and backward and showing the feed-v pawl and detent-spring in fulllines as thrown out of engagement with the feed-wheel of the platen, thedotted lines in said figure illustrating the normal or operativeposition of said feed-pawl. Fig. 8 is an opposite side elevation showingthe parts of the type-writer in the position illustrated in Fig. 5. Fig.9 is a rear view, on an enlarged scale, of a portion of the carriagefeed-mechanism. Fig. 10 is a side elevation of a portion of the same asseen from the 'right hand in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a plan view of a portionof said feed-mechanism.

Similar characters designate like parts in all of the figures.

The framework, A, and shiftable carriage, B, are, or may be, of anyusual or suitable general construction. Said carriage B is shownsupported for longitudinal movement with relation to the frame A uponthe way 2 at the front side of the machine and upon the guidebar 3adjacent to the rear end of the carriage. This guide-bar 3 is shownpivotally supported at its ends in uprights, 4 and 5, formed upon theside-rails of the frame A. In the form thereof herein shown, it willhave its upper side-edges oppositely inclined, as shown at 6 and 6', toform a V-shaped bearing-face or track for the similarly grooved rollers,7, which are revolubly mounted upon studs secured to the back-rail ofthe carriage in the usual manner. The back-rail of the carriage hasguidelugs, 8, formed thereon which loosely embrace the guide-bar 3 andhold the carriage in place when the same is tilted as shown in Fig. 7.

The platen C, which may be ofany suitable type, is pivotally supportedin the usual 'manner by trunnions, 9 and 10, in bearings formed inthe'side-ra'ils of the carriage. This platen G will also be provided atone end thereof with a feed-wheel which is in the nature of aratchet-wheel, ll, mechanism being provided in connection with saidratchet- KOO wheel, as will be hereinafter described, for rotating thesame. These elements just described maybe of the same generalconstruction as like elements in type-writers such as the caligraph.

In the drawings, I have shown the typewriter frame as provided with oneform of carriage-feed of the escapement type. This feed-1nechanism, as awhole, forms no part of my present invention,but constitutes thesubject-matter of a separate application, Serial No. 502,273, filed byme March 3, 1894, the said mechanism being shown in the drawings simplyto illustrate one form of carriage feedmechanism applicable for use inconnection with my improvements.

Briefly stated, my improvements, in the form thereof herein shown,comprise a pivotally-snpported carriage-feed-rack havingforwardly-projecting arms adapted for engagement by afeed-rack-actuator; feeding-mechanism in connection with said rack, acombined feed-rack-actuator and platen-feed-lever in position andadapted for engagement with said feed-rack to move the same out ofengagement with its feeding devices and having means for rotating theplaten, and means for preventing accidental retractive movement of saidplaten, all of which will be hereinafter more fully described.

In the form thereof herein shown, the feedrack, designated in a generalway by D, comprises a suitable swinging frame fulcrumed upon theguide-bar 3, and having forwardly and rearwardly projecting arms, 13 and13 and 14; and 14, respectively,and the rack-bar 15,secured to therearwardly projecting arms, as shown in Fig. 1, having the usualrackteeth 15, in position and adapted for engagement by theescapement-lever of the escapement-device, designated in a general wayby E. The forwardly projecting arm 13 is located in position forengagement by the combined feed-rack-actuator and the platenfeed-lever,while the other forwardly projecting arm 13 is located in position forengagement by an independent feed-rack-lifting device, as will behereinafter more fully described.

For convenience, the rack-bar, rack-bar frame, and its projecting armswill be herein termed the feed-rack.

In the drawings, the feed rack frame is shown as formed in two parts,one of which parts comprise the two arms 14 and 14 which are pivotallysupported at their forward ends upon the guide-bar 3, and the other ofwhich part comprises the U-shaped frame secured to the forward end ofsaid arms and having the extensions or arms 13 and 13 located one ateach side of the shiftable carriage B. It is obvious, however, that thegeneral construc= tion of this frame may be modified without departurefrom my invention.

As a means for rotating the platen for the purpose of spacing, and alsoforactuating the feed-rack to move it out of engagement with theescapement devices, I have provided mechanism in connection therewith ofa. construction and organization adapted for performing these twofunctions simultaneously, or independently. This mechanism, in thepreferred form thereof herein shown, consists of acombinedcarriage-lifting, platen-feeding and feed-rack actuating-lever,(designated in a general way by F) pivoted at 16, to the frame of theshiftable carriage near the front end thereof, as clearly shown in Figs.2 and 3. This lever, in the form thereof herein shown, consists of ahandle-bar, 17, extending downward in front of the machine, and havingthe upwardly projecting arm 18, adapted to support a feed-pawl, 19, andhaving the rearwardly and downwardly projecting feed-racktilting arm,20, in position and adapted for engagement with the forwardly projectingarm 13 of the feed-rack. The feed-pawl 19, is pivotally supported at theupper end of the arm 18 of thelever F and is held with its rearward endin normal engagement with the teeth of the feed-wheel 11 by means of aspring,21, interposed between said lever and feed-pawl. This feed-pawl19 also has a forwardly projecting arm 19 by means of which the pawl maybe thrown out of engagement with the feed-wheel by the thumb or fingerof the operator without affecting the position of the carriage orfeed-rack, as is sometimes desirable for turning the platen forward.

Secured to a suitable part of the carriage is aspring, 22, preferablyconstructed of sheetmetal, and having a detent-catch, 23, normally heldin engagement with a tooth of the feed-wheel 11 and adapted for holdingsaid feed wheel against retractive movement.

As a means for lifting the spring 22 out of engagement with theratchet-wheel 11, when it is desired to retract the platen, the feedpawl19 is provided at its forward end with a laterally projecting pin, orstud, 24, which lies below the forward end of, and is adapted forlifting said spring 22 when the said pawl 19 is thrown upward out ofengagement with the ratchet-wheel.

In practice, the rack-actuating arm 20 will preferably be formedintegral with the handle-bar 17, but will be located at one side thereofto form an offset-,or shoulder, 25, the under face of which shouldernormally lies in the plane of, but somewhat remote from, the upper edgeof the carriage to which the lever F is pivoted. As a means for limitingthe movement of the lever F so as to rotate the platen the distancebetween one or two notches as required for spacing, I have provided inconnection with the upper edge of the carriage a sliding stop, 26, inposition and adapted to be thrown forward into engagement with theshoulder 25 to limit the movement of the lever F as will be clearlyunderstood by reference to Fig. 6 of the drawings. This sliding stop isin the nature of an angle-plate havingelongated slots formed thereinthrough which are extended suitable pins or screws, as 27, which securethe stop to the carriage and also guide it in its movements. As a meansfor actuating the feed-rack to obviate the wear constant thereto.

move the same out of engagement with its escapement feed-device,independent of the lever F, I have provided in connection with thecarriage B at the side opposite that to which the said lever F isconnected, an auxiliary rack-actuator, designated in ageneral way by G,which in the form thereof herein shown, consists of a rock-shaft, 28,journaled in bearings, 29, upon the carriage, and having anactuator-arm, 30, in position and adapted for engagement with theforwardly. projecting arm 13' of the feed-rack. This actuator-arm 30will preferably be curved at its outer end, as shown at 31, to form acam-face adapted for hearing against the upper end of the arm 13 of therack-frame, as shown in Fig. 2', and will be normally held out ofengagement with said arm 13 as shown in said figure, by means of aspiral or other spring, as 32, in engagement therewith, one form ofwhich spring is shown in Figs. 1 and 8 of the drawings. As a means foractuating the rock-shaft 28 to throw the actuator-arm into engagementwith the arm 13 of the rack, said shaft is provided at its outer forwardend with a finger-piece, 33, by means of which said shaft may be rockedby the finger of the operator. a

In operation,- when it is desired to shift the carriage from its extremeleft-hand position to its starting, or right-hand position, withoutrevolving the. platen, the operator may push the finger-piece 33 of therock-shaft toward the carriage which will throw the actuatorarm 31 intoengagement with the forwardly projecting arm of the feed-rack. and liftsaid feed-rack out of engagement with its feeding device, and at thesame time the carriage may beshifted toitsstarting-point. Usuallywhenthe end of a line is reached, in printing, it is desirable to rotate theplaten the distance for spacing and then move the carriage in positionfor starting the next line, and it is very desirable to throw therack-bar out of engagementwith the escapement devices before retractingthe carriage to thereby prevent the same from dragging over said devicesand to To accomplish this end with my improvements, it is simplynecessary to draw the handle-bar 17 forward and upward which will rotatethe platen the requisite distance, and at the same time throw thefeed-rack out of 'engagement with the escapement, when by a side-pullupon said handle-bar, the carriage may be shifted as required in one orthe opposite direction. When it is required to rotate the platen in theopposite direction, it is simply necessary to depress the arm 19 of thefeed-pawl which will throw said pawl and at the same timelift thedetent-spring out of engagement with the ratchet-wheel and allow saidwheel to be turned by hand as required.

Journaled in adjustable bearings supported at either end of thecarriage, is the usual tension-roll, 34, which is normally held undertension against the face of the platen, and between which platen andtension-roll, the

paper to be printed upon is inserted. In practice, the carriage will beprovided with the usual guide (not shown) for directing the paper whilebeing inserted between the platen and the tension-roll.

As a means for clamping the paper in position against the platen and forholding the same securely in placeirrespective of its width within thegiven limit, I have provided in connection with the carriage and platen,a paperclamping device, designated in a general way by H, and which inthe form thereof herein shown, consists of a somewhat triangularshapedframe constructed of resilient sheetmetal bowed outwardly tosubstantially the cross-sectional shape of the platen and secured at oneside thereof to the front-rail of the carriage, as most clearly shown inFigs. 1 and 4:. This paper-clamp is open at its central portion, asshown at 36, and comprises the longitudinal index-bar, 37, which bearsupon the platen with its inner edge at one side of the impact-point.thereof, and the two laterally and inwardly projecting sidebars 38 and39, extending from the outer ends of the bar 37 and being connectedtogether at their ends and to the front-rail of the carriage. This clampalso has two inwardly-projecting guid- 'ing-fingers, 4:0 and 41, locatedcentrally with relation to the platen and projecting above and belowsaid platen, respectively, to form guides for insuring the backwardinclination of the paper as it is being printed.

ICO

By the employment in connection with the platen, of a paper-clamp suchas herein described, I am enabled to use relatively narrow sheets ofpaper as conveniently as if the strips were of a width equal to thelength of the platen, said strips being securely held in place by meansof the laterally and inwardly projecting bars 38 and 39 of thepaper-clamp.

Again, with my improved clamp, envelopes of various sizes may be readilyheld in place for printing which is a matter of great consideratum tousers of type-writers forgeneral office work.

Having thus described my invention, I

,ratchetwheel and in position and adapted for engagement by thefeed-pawl, a releasing-arm in connection with said feed-pawl andextending forward of the pivotal point thereof andadapted forsimultaneously throwing the feed-pawl and the detent-stop out ofengagement with the ratchet-wheel, and a spring connected with saidreleasing-arm and adapted for returning said arm and the feed-pawl totheir normal positions, substantially as described.

2. In a type-writer, the combination with a carriage and with a platencarrying a ratchet-wheel, of a feed-lever pivotally connected with thecarriage, a feed-pawl pivotally connected to the feed-lever with itsrear end in engagement with the ratchet-wheel and with its forward endprojected beyond its pivotal point to form a thumb-piece in line withthe actuating arm of the feed-lever and in the plane of movement thereofand adapted to be stopped against said feed-lever when said feed-pawl isreleased from the ratchet-wheel by the actuation of the thumb-piece, aspring secured to said thumb-piece and adapted for holding the same awayfrom said feed-lever and thereby maintaining the feed-pawl in engagementwith the teeth of the ratchetwheel, a detent-spring secured to the frameand having a detent-catch normally in engagement with a tooth of theratchet-wheel and adapted for preventing return movement of saidratchet-wheel and also in position and adapted for engagement by thefeed-pawl, and means in connection with said pawl for lifting the springout of engagement with said ratchet wheel, substantially as described.

3. In a type-writer, the combination with a carriage and with a platencarrying a ratchet-wheel, of a feed-lever pivotally connected with thecarriage, a feed-pawl pivotally connected to the feed'lever with itsrear end in engagement with the ratchet-wheel and with its forward endprojected beyond its pivotal point to form a thumb-piece in line withthe actuating arm of the feed-lever and in the plane of movement thereofand adapted to be stopped against said feed -lever when said feed-pawlis released from the ratchet-wheel by the actuation of the thumb-piece,a spring secured to said, thumb-piece and adapted for holding the sameaway from said feed-lever and thereby maintaining the feed-pawl inengagement with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel, a (latent-spring securedto the frame and having a detent-catch normally in engagement with atooth of the ratchet-wheel and adapted for preventing return movement ofsaid ratchct-whecl and also in position and adapted for engagement bythe feed-pawl, means in connection with said pawl for lifting the springout of engagement with said ratchet-wheel, and an adjustable slidingstop in connection with the carriage and adapted for engage ment withthe rear end of the feed lever to limit the movement thereof,substantially as described.

4. In a type-writer, the combination with a shiftable carriage and witha revoluble platen carried thereby and embodying a feedwheel, of apivotally-supported feed-rack having an arm projected forward of itspivotal point, a reciprocatory actuator fulcrnmed to the carriage at apoint remote from its rear end said actuator being in operativeengagement with the forwardly-projecting arm of the feed-rack, aspring-pressed pawl connected with said actuator and in operativeengagement with the feed-wheel of the platen, a detent-spring inengagement with the feed wheel and adaptedfor preventing the retractivemovement of the platen and also in position and adapted forengagementbysaid pawl, means in connection with the pawl and eX- tendingforward of the pivot thereof for lifting said pawl and the springsimultaneously, and a stop for limiting the movement of the actuator,substantially as described.

5. In a type-writer, the combination with the carriage and with theplaten carried there by, of a spring-clamp secured to the front rail ofthe carriage and comprising an open frame havinga longitudinal bar, twolaterally and inwardly projected side-bars, and two oppositely-disposedguiding-fingers, one of which extends above, and the other of whichextends below the horizontal axis of the platen and terminate at pointsone side of a vertical line drawn through the axis of said platen,substantially as described.

JOHN M. FAIRFIELD.

Witnesses:

FRED. J. DOLE, FREDERICK A. BOLAND.

